The FBI is tracking down a hacker who tried to poison Florida’s water supply

A shocking case of computer hacking has been discovered in Pinellas County, Florida. Federal investigators are trying to track down the person who tried to poison a public water supply – remotely.

Investigators say a plant operator guarding the water plant in the city of Oldsmar in Tampa Bay has spotted breaches as of Friday morning.

The hacker controlled the computer system’s mouse – opened several functions on the screen and changed the sodium hydroxide in the water supply from about 100 parts per million to more than 11,100 parts per million.

“This is clearly a significant and potentially dangerous increase,” said Bob Gualtieri, Sheriff of Pinellas County. “Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is the main ingredient in liquid drain cleaners.”

If taken in large amounts, sodium hydroxide can cause vomiting, chest and stomach pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Fortunately, the operator of the plant in the water treatment plant immediately brought the levels down to what was safe.

Now the Secret Service and FBI cyber units are trying to determine who is behind the hack and whether it was someone in the US or abroad. It happened just two days before Super Bowl in a town about 30 miles from Raymond James Stadium.

“But the important thing is to notify everyone … This is pretty bad. Actors are out there, it’s happening,” said Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel.

Cyber ​​experts warn that hackers have gotten into infrastructure before – but are doing something dangerous – changing the calculus.